Despite a strong Premier League campaign that has the club sitting in a promising position, the hierarchy are determined to keep investing in order to maintain competitiveness at the top end of English football.
The Sun reports Manchester United are already monitoring a shortlist of nine players, with a particular focus on central midfield reinforcements as they plan for the next phase of squad evolution.
At the top of the list is Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba, who United previously pursued during the last transfer window. The 22-year-old Cameroon international remains highly rated at Old Trafford despite Brighton’s previous valuation exceeding £100million.
Another major name under consideration is Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali, with the Italian viewed as a dynamic option capable of offering more mobility in central areas.
Tonali has been linked with a potential summer exit, and reports suggest his agent has already confirmed interest from top Premier League clubs, with a fee in the region of £80million expected to be required.
United’s midfield rebuild does not stop there, with several other Premier League-based targets also being tracked.
The report states Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson, Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton and Bournemouth’s Alex Scott are all on the club’s radar as potential long-term English options alongside Kobbie Mainoo.
Anderson, 23, has impressed at Forest and is also expected to be part of England’s future plans, with his valuation reportedly reaching around £100million.
United are also considering opportunistic moves depending on relegation outcomes, with Wolves midfielder Joao Gomes and West Ham’s Mateus Fernandes both named as potential value targets should their clubs face demotion.
At the top end of the market, Real Madrid midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni has also been discussed internally, though prising him away from the Spanish giants would represent a significant challenge.
In defence, United are monitoring Tottenham’s Micky van de Ven as part of wider plans to strengthen the back line following injury concerns and squad depth issues.
With multiple areas under review, United’s summer window is shaping up to be one of the most important in their recent rebuild strategy.